All Area Volleyball Team

REGION — For Elk Rapids, a championship has been a long time coming.

Twenty-five years, to be exact, since the last district volleyball title the Elks won.

Forest Area, which captured its second straight Ski Valley Conference title this season, and Bellaire, which won a district for the third consecutive time, have made championships a more regular occurrence.

All three carried the torch for the area, winning the three titles that came back to Antrim and Kalkaska counties in a year when two of them — Bellaire and Elk Rapids — advanced all the way to the regional finals.

Lydia Christian (captain)

Senior

Elk Rapids

A third-team Class C all-state selection, Christian was one of the driving forces behind Elk Rapids’ successful season. Nearly all of the Elks’ points this season went through their elite setter, who accounted for 96 percent of all the team’s assists. She finished with 1,099 assists to cap off her career. Christian also contributed 15 blocks, 69 kills, and served at a 93 percent clip with 55 aces. Also earned All-Lake Michigan Conference first team and All-Region honors.

Allison Ashurst

Senior

Elk Rapids

Powerful middle hitter recorded over 1,000 kills in her career, including 472 this year — more than twice as many as the next closest player on her team. Hit at a .332 percentage and led the Elks with 69 blocks. Picked up 58 digs and had 62 aces. An All-Lake Michigan Conference first team selection.

Payton Leonard

Senior

Forest Area

Stepped up as the Warriors’ top offensive player in an undefeated Ski Valley Conference season. Named Class D third team all-state. Also earned All-Region and All-Ski Valley Conference first team accolades. Was picked as the Warriors Team MVP.

Kelsey Mills

Senior

Forest Area

Another key member of a Forest Area team that set school record for wins in a season. Earned Class D All-State Honorable Mention for the second straight season. Shared Team MVP award with Leonard. Also earned All-Region. Was named the Warriors’ Unsung Hero Award. All-Ski Valley Conference first team.

Maddie Cummer

Senior

Forest Area

The Warriors’ setter consistenly found the team’s top hitters to propel their offense. An All-Ski Valley Conference first team pick, Cummer also landed on the All-Region team. Shared the team’s Top defense award. Helped Forest Area win conference and district titles, as well as a school-record seven tournaments during the regular season.

Lexi Niepoth

Senior

Bellaire

Offensively and defensively the leader of the Eagles. A second team All-Ski Valley Conference performer, the fourth-year veteran recorded 262 kills, 487 digs attempted, 42 aces and 12 assists in a district championship season.